There’s something special about a bush walk. The pace is slower, the senses sharper, and the wilderness feels a little more alive when you’re on foot. And for Ranger Kelsey Clark, who has now set off for “greener pastures,” if such a thing exists outside Londolozi, there was one thing she wanted to do before she left: one last walk in the north with a few friends.
So the five of us, Kelsey, Nick, Souch, Fran, and I, set out with no agenda whatsoever. No plan. No pressure. Just the simple joy of ambling through the bush together, soaking up the morning and the banter. And so often the best moments in the bush are usually the ones you didn’t plan for.
It was a chance to talk nonsense, marvel at the small things, such as ageing a tortoise, or witnessing the fascinating courtship process of a pair of snails. A first for me, despite knowing far too much about snail romance. The vibe was pure appreciation for the bush, and perhaps that quiet energy is exactly what the bush responds to.
Our only real goal was a good spot for coffee and rusks (a non-negotiable for any proper walk). But the bush had other plans. Two relaxed hyenas resting nearby caught our attention, and before we knew it, a leopard thudded out of a tree in the distance and darted away. Moments later, after returning with the vehicle, we realised it wasn’t just one leopard… but two. The Ngungwe Female and her cub—very much alive, healthy, and feeding on a scrub hare while the mother drank nearby.
For Kelsey’s farewell walk, I don’t think we could have asked for anything more. A morning of friendship, laughter, little wonders, and a last-minute leopard sighting that felt like the bush gifting her a perfect send-off and her first proper view of the Ngungwe Female’s Cub.
Enjoy this week’s Virtual Safari…
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Sean Zeederberg
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